Ever since reading Stephen King’s Memoir “On Writing” a few years ago, I’ve made it a goal to read daily. One can’t become a better writer, without reading. You need to study the art of story. And you can only gain perspective by reading the work of others. So every single day I read roughly 40 pages in what ever my current read is.

How I choose my books…

I try to diversify what I read, fiction, non-fiction, horror, suspense, romance, writers from different ethnicities, nationalities, socio-economic backgrounds…you get it. But that doesn’t mean that I won’t read my favorite genres. I love books by African-American woman writers because I like to see how close their experience is to my own and the different ways in which our collective story can be told.

Additionally, I pick a writer who has a large catalog of work, and try my best to read through as many of their works in a year. Last year, that writer was Stephen King. And I joked that it would probably take me 3 years to get through all of his books. Let’s just say I’m two years in and not even halfway through. But I decided this year to switch it up and I chose Walter Mosley as my large catalog writer.

In 2018 I read a total of 28 books. That’s 3 less than last year. But it still averages to over 2 books a month. So I’m thinking I’m doing pretty good. Of those 28 books, here are the ones that stood out (for better or worse).

Best Walter Mosley

Black Betty-Walter Mosley

Black Betty is the third in the Easy Rowlins Mystery series. I love a good mystery. I love old Hollywood. And I love a little vintage P.I. story. So all of this series is great. But I think I love this story so much because it really shows Easy’s evolution as a man. Sure he’s still making questionable decisions. But now that he has two children to care for, he actually thinks before he acts.

One thing I kinda hate is that I can’t read any of these books without seeing Denzel as Easy.

Damn you Devil in a Blue Dress!

Best Book by a Foreign Author

All Our Names-Dinaw Mengestu

To be clear, Dinaw came to the states when he was 2-years-old. So he’s American AF. But his Ethiopian beginnings, along with the content of his writings, puts him in the foreign interest category.

This book, pays homage to what it means to be an immigrant in America as well as how starkly life contrasts between America and other countries that are going through any type of political/social/economic strife. Although one might argue that we’re going through a lot of shit here in the states. But I digress.

Listening to Isaac and Helen’s stories, their similarities and their stark differences makes you wonder if we can all just get along afterall…or are we doomed to just be different and keep on fighting each other.

I only wish that by the end of the book I would have found out his name. WHAT WAS HIS NAME?!?!?!

Best Non-Fiction

Troublemaker-Leah Remini

I read 5 non-fiction books this year and four of them were autobiographies or memoirs. Leah’s book resonated with me because I feel like my upbringing mirrored hers. I really identified with so much of her life in Scientology.

I also had the chance to meet her after reading her book. When I went to thank her and Mike Render for sharing their stories and being so brave, I broke down in tears. She hugged me really tight and wouldn’t let me go even though I tried to pull away (I was super embarrassed). That chance meeting after hearing about her struggles made me feel less alone. It as a great breakthrough moment. Thanks Leah.

Most Surprisingly Good Book

Every Little Step-Bobby Brown

I’ve watched Being Bobby Brown. I’ve followed Whitney and Bobby Kristina’s tragic stories. I’ve watched The New Edition Story and two separate Whitney biopics. But nothing prepared me for the tour de force that was this book.

I appreciated that the book, though written with a co-author, was completely in Bobby’s voice. I learned so many things about him that I never knew. And I appreciated him so much more after learning about his various health (physical and mental) issues and his insane amount of loss. He doesn’t attempt to paint himself as a hero. He admits to his faults and transgressions. He’s just brutally and beautifully honest. He’s so honest that when I read a few of this more fantastical stories, I believed every word.

Most Difficult to Get Through

Gerald’s Game-Stephen King

Long dream sequences…drawn out scenes…disconnect from reality. I had no idea where in time and space I was for most of this. It was way to long. I tried to skip ahead several times because reading it was unbearable. But because of the constant stream of consciousness, speed reading was impossible.

I watched the Netflix adaptation and felt the same fucking way about the movie.

Best Book to be Adapted for Film or Television

Mr. Mercedes-Stephen King

I loved the pacing of both the book and the AT&T series, Mr. Mercedes. I found it to be less horror and more crime thriller. And since crime thriller is my favorite genre of book or movie or TV show, it was a win all around.

I will say that I’ll never get over Mr. King’s overuse of the n-word. While I don’t think he’s racist, and is fact inserting the word ad nauseum to highlight racism in our society, I could do without it.

With that said, I can’t wait to read the other two books in the Bill Hodges series, Finders Keepers and End of Watch.

Funniest Book

Bossy Pants-Tina Fey

This year I read two really funny books by two really funny women, What I was Doing While You Were Breeding by Kristen Newman and Bossy Pants by Tina Fey. I had a little difficulty deciding which memoir was better. And I realized that they’re both the same level of funny. But when I looked at the experiences of the two women, I saw Kristin more of the girl I wished that I was and Tina as the girl I already was. So Tina won out for relatability.

There were so many times while reading this book I was doubled over cry-laughing. She is a ridiculous person with ridiculous experiences, the biggest nerd/uncool girl who manages to occasionally be cool AF. I related to Tina on so many levels except the fact that she’s legit funny in all aspects of her life, whereas I’m only occasionally, situationally, sorta amusing, and usually no one is around to notice it.

If you’re looking for something to make you laugh so hard you push out a fart, read this book.

Best Overall

Ruby-Cynthia Bond

Warning: This book is heavy AF. It’s like human trafficking/child gang rape heavy. So be prepared.

Thing is, I love heavy books. My favorite book of all time is “The Color Purple.” And while there are tales of redemption and love, that book is a clusterfuck of awful on top of awful, compounded by shitty.

I think that what makes this book unique is the author’s ability to be lyrically descriptive without being flowery. I can see clearly every inch of space she describes and feel the sorrow and pain that Ruby feels as she spends a lifetime being violated and taken advantage of. This book would be a GREAT read for a women’s study class…or if you, like me, love to read about women who survive in the face of fuckery.

PS-I forgot to mention there’s also a supernatural/ghost element to the book. Yea, I should have lead with that.

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2018 Book Review